The Athearn RTR SW1000 and SW1500 will be in the shops soon.
I did not like any Athearn RTR engine so far, They are very noisy (I’m an Atlas fan:-). But I own some MP15AC and like them a lot. As the new SW1000/SW1500 are very similar to the MP15AC Athearn might reuse motor, drive etc.
Is any information availabel about the motor and drive used in the new switchers?
Let’s see then…They are not out and therefore can not be closely inspected…
Rumor mill says they are using a new motor with the hex drive line…
My RTRs run rather smoothly…
I suspect a ‘RTR’ engine will have the ‘Hex’ drive line, and I have also heard that Athearn has a new replacement motor that will be going in ‘RTR’ engines. I have several ‘RTR’ engines and all of mine run very smooth. I also have an Athearn Genesis MP15AC(with Sound/DCC). I run it in MU with the ‘RTR’ SD40-2 engines. I know some of the early ‘RTR’ engines were little more than a good paint job on an assembled ‘BB’ engine. But over the past 1-2 years, the ‘RTR’ line has made great strides. They are truly ‘DCC Ready’(including the lamps),and include harnesses that will handle NMRA 8 pin and JST 9 pin decoders. The coupler are ‘bolted’ on, and in the case of the SD40-2 engines, have correct noses and fuel tanks. They are not Atlas Silver/Gold quality, but offer outstanding value for the dollar. Other than the current run of GP40’s, there is not much in the current Atlas line I can use for my Milwaukee layout. I have all of the 1`st generation Alcos I can handle!
Jim
I agree. I wish Atlas would start making more modern loco’s. I think they would make a killing. Although they do fill that niche market with all of those Old alco’s. I’m just not a fan.
I’m sorry. RTR bashing was not my intention. I had some bad experience with GP38 and GP40X while the Genesis engines are smooth runners.
I hoped Atheran demonstrated the new switchers at some fair and some of you had a chancet o talk to Athearn people about the drive.
I haven’t owned an athearn RTR (my GP35 doesn’t count since I got it as a dummy, and it has a stewart motor) pieces but I have the BB version of the SW1500 (not the mis-labeled SW7) and it runs real smooth and quiet.
Wonder if parts will be available seperately? (need flexicoil-Bs sideframes, and some of the lenses)